Thursday, September 30, 2010

Spa Bellagio

I had been under the assumption that Spa Bellagio admitted only hotel guests. I assumed wrong. Yesterday, on a whim, I called to inquire about their policies. I was told that only on Saturdays you must be a guest of the hotel. The other 6 days of the week your money is as good as that of their hotel guests.

The price of a day pass is $40 which is in line with most of the other strip spas.

Having been to the Spa at Aria several times, my first impression was that I now know where they got the blue prints for the Aria spa. They borrowed them from the Bellagio. The lay-out of the wet area/steam room/dry sauna is nearly identical.

The top picture is of the wet area in the Spa at Aria. The bottom picture is of the wet area in Spa Bellagio

Both have the same set up in regards to tub temperatures. One of the 4 tubs is a cold plunge. The other three are of various temperatures ot hot water. The attendants at Bellagio were quick to convert the temps while giving tours to Europeans. 38 C, 39C and 40 Celcius.

The sauna and steam rooms, again, are laid out the same in both spas. Spacious describes them nicely.

Strangely, the shower inside the steam room supplied only HOT WATER. I brought this to the attention of the attendant and at first he just said, yes only hot water, and that other guests had mentioned it. It took me a while to convince him that I didn't think this was as it should be. He later told me that he had notified maintenance and that they would look into it.

There was a comfortable relaxation area near the front of the spa near the attendant desk.

The wet area, however, contained only two loungers and one upright chair. The supply (or not) of lounge chairs is a subject that confuses me. During very slow periods it isn't an issue. Otherwise, it's like dogs pissing on trees in an effort to mark their territory chairs. Every dip in the hot tub/visit to the steam or sauna leaves you wondering if someone else will be in "your" chair when you get back. I usually leave a section of newspaper on the chair with my reading glasses on top of the paper. I've found that this works fairly well, but it leaves me feeling somewhat guilty that I've hogged a chair....

The Spa Paito is a nice feature. Since the spa isn't on the ground floor I'd call it a Spa Balcony, but whatever. There ARE three lounge chairs located on the Patio so if you are all hot and sweaty when exiting the steam room, feel free to go outside and recline in 101 degree heat. The patio overlooks the pool complex which consists of at least 7 pools. As a smoker, I appreciate that there is an ashtray on the patio. It's the first concession to smokers that I've seen in ANY Las Vegas spa. At any other spa, sneaking a smoke requires that you exit the spa area and search out a place where smoking is allowed. Unless you bother to put your clothes on for the smoke, (and who wants to get dressed and undressed for the sake of a cigarette)you'll get glances as you wander around common areas in your robe. Some glances have a hint of "what is this strange man doing walking around in public in just a robe" and some have a tint of jealousy as they realize your are spending a day at the spa.